Plea hearing set for contractor in Iraq thefts

RICHMOND, VA. — A civilian contractor accused of stealing two electric generators from a U.S. military base in Iraq is scheduled to plead guilty in federal court in Richmond.

Ruebin S. Thomas of Richmond previously pleaded not guilty and demanded a jury trial on charges of theft of government property and making a false statement. According to court records, a plea agreement hearing is now set for Thursday. Details of the agreement are not yet available.

Thomas worked for Honeywell Technologies at the Camp Victory Base Complex in Baghdad. The indictment accused him of stealing two generators valued at $176,000 each in June 2009. He also was accused of lying to the FBI.